After completing the mock-up phase of a custom bike-building project, many custom bicycle builders send their frame... Or even perhaps some of their sheet metal components out for powder coating.
Essentially, powder coating is a thin durable, oven-baked plastic coating. And, after it's applied, does not need any further finishing like paint does. It's also a lot stronger than paint so it will resist road dings.
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There are some techniques you may want to think for prepping your components before sending them out. But, first, there are a few situations where powder coating might not be the way to go.
Take a gas tank or fender for instance. If those components have been filled with "putty" or some other kind of plastic fillers or compounds, you can not use the powder coating process. The suspect is, all that filler stuff is going to melt in the curing oven. So you need to keep that in mind if you're thinking about doing your fenders or tank or any other sheet metal parts.
Prepping Your Components For The Powder Coating Process:
Specifically, what we're talking about here is your frame. So, the first thing that will need your attention is manufacture sure you've removed any bearings, races or bushings from the neck and swing arm etc. And, you have to make sure you remove any other components that may be attached to the frame because the powder coating cannot get in between any of those parts that haven't been removed.
Once you've got everything all pulled apart, any old finish... Or any other kind of crap on the parts that are to get powder coated, needs to be cleaned up. You may want to think doing the prep work yourself to save some time and money, and there's nothing wrong with that. But, keep in mind, you want to do a good unblemished job with this course because good prep work is what separates a capability powder job from one that sucks... And prep work is what separates a "real" powder coating shop from the pretenders.
There's a few ways of getting the metal ready and they comprise sand blasting, glass beading, using a wire wheel and chemical stripping. A few thoughts on sandblasting...
This process has a tendency to leave a "profile" on the metal. That's when the force of sand removing finite pieces of metal creates a series of valleys and peaks. If you were blasting your heads or barrels, sand blasting unquestionably wouldn't be a qoute due to all the imperfections in those parts anyway... Plus there are no flat surfaces.
After sand blasting a frame, you may want to take a piece of medium to fine grit sandpaper, to plane out the face and break down any "profiles" caused by the process. Keep in mind that too much blast material or too much air pressure can unquestionably damage any "thin areas".
Glass bead is probably the more preferred formula because of its less aggressive nature and will leave your metal face a whole lot smoother. But, if the face you're trying to clean up has some real caked on crud, sand blasting is probably the best choice.
Now that you've decided which formula you're going to use, you'll need to mask off the areas... Such as bearing races... With duct tape so those surfaces don't get all chewed up when you do your blasting.
Simply lay the tape down on the area you want to safe then take a razor blade and cut the excess off. Double check to make sure any... And all... Holes are sealed also. Take your time with the blasting and work it slow and methodically.
Don't Forget About Those Thin Areas!
After you've got your blasting done... Give all the surfaces a shot of compressed air and then remove the duct tape. Shoot all the pieces again with some air and pay extra attention to small holes and threaded areas. Check it over real good and if you find any chunks of old discontinue you might have missed (like up in a tight corner) use a wire wheel in a drill to get rid of it.
Here's a petite tip... Try to stay away from chemical stripping. If chemical residue gets trapped in a hole or a small crack, it then becomes a contaminant and can screw-up your concluded powder coat job.
A capability powder coat job can unquestionably make the contrast in how your concluded custom bicycle or Chopper shows.
How to prepare Your convention bike Components For Powdercoating CHOPPER
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